Waller, speaking at Flemington on Tuesday, drew a contrast between the two biggest races of Melbourne Cup week. "The horse that wins the Coolmore on Saturday is probably going to be the most lucrative or expensive horse at the end of the carnival," he said. A Melbourne Cup winner becomes a household name, but the sprint winner's value flows to siblings, and a stallion can cover mares. "The winner of the Coolmore will be worth upwards of $30 million."
Waller has won six of the past 13 editions of the 1200-metre Coolmore Stud Stakes. This year he runs St Gotthard, the race's third favourite, ridden by James McDonald and a full brother to Waller's 2024 winner Switzerland, both by Snitzel out of Ms Bad Behaviour. "He's the younger sibling who is ready to make a name for himself," the Sydney trainer said. His other runner, longshot Steel Will, shares a dam, Pittsburgh Flyer, with his 2020 winning filly September Run. "That's probably something quite unique. Hopefully, they've got the genetics and can quinella the race," Waller said.
St Gotthard was bought for $2.7 million by Coolmore at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales in April last year. Waller said he had learned not to dwell on such figures. "You learn not to worry about price tags and not to worry about the pressure of it," he said. "The horses, they all get looked after the same, regardless of the price tags."
The Melbourne Cup has been a harder race for Waller to crack. His only winner was Verry Elleegant in 2021, and he is unlikely to add to that this year. "It wouldn't be our strongest year," he said. Asterix, part-owned by New Zealand cricket great Mark Greatbatch, is an outsider, while Soul Of Spain ran second in the Sydney Cup before an eighth in the Caulfield Cup. Pinhole needs at least four horses to withdraw before next Tuesday to gain a start, and 2023 runner-up Soulcombe needs to finish in the top three at Wednesday's Bendigo Cup to pass the ballot clause.
Hall-of-fame trainer Gai Waterhouse is also sweating on the Bendigo Cup, where The Euphrates must run well or win to be assured a Melbourne Cup start. "He was off the scene for two years, so this is a big step for him," she said. "Tomorrow is a vital race for him, and if he can run really well or win it, then we are in."
Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott are guaranteed at least one runner: Vauban, lining up for his fourth Cup start after finishing 14th, 11th and sixth. They took over the Irish import from Willie Mullins at the end of 2024. "I love this gelding, I really do," Waterhouse said. "He'll be going in with only one run under his belt, which is a bit unorthodox. But, you know, why not roll the dice a different way?"